The number of U.S. oil-drilling rigs, viewed as a proxy for activity in the sector, has fallen sharply since oil prices began to fall. But it hasn’t fallen enough to relieve the global glut of crude. There are now about 72% fewer rigs of all kinds since a peak of 1,609 in October 2014. According to Baker Hughes, the number of U.S. gas rigs declined in the latest week by four to 88. The U.S. offshore-rig count was 26 in the latest week, down two from the previous week and down five from a year earlier. Oil prices tumbled Friday after comments from a Saudi royal family member cast more doubt on a deal for major global exporters to cap output. Saudi Arabia’s deputy crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, said in an interview with Bloomberg News that the kingdom will freeze its oil output only if Iran and other […]

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